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Topic: 50mm upgrade or 85mm coverage? (Read 6844 times)

Having FF with 35L, 50 1.5 and 135L, I'm thinking in:1) selling the 50mm 1.4 and buy the 50L2) buying the Sigma 85 1.43) buying 85L (more difficult due to the money involved)

Anyone had a similar debate?

Well, the 50mm f/1.2L will provide superior results to the 1.4, is built far better, and has bokeh to die for @ 1.2. It does require some skill to shoot with as it has some limitations at close range, but once you learn the lens the results are outstanding.

But, you don't have an 85 at all. I am thinking you are better off getting a 85L, and maybe down the road upgrade to the 50L. Because, you'd probably benefit from the 85mm coverage for portraits if you don't have one, and the 85L is a killer lens.

Only thing is, there are no specials right now so you are going to pay a lot more than when rebate season is around in the fall.

Having 1.3x with the same lenses and question some time ago.I owned 85/1.8 and upgraded to S 85/1.4. (C1.8 = too much violet fringing and inconsistent AF)

I've heard differing opinions on the Sigma 85 1.4. How is the AF performance (speed and accuracy)? I have the Canon 85 1.8 and find the AF to be pretty good overall. How about the Bokeh?

Here is the sigma 85 on 5D3 wide open iso 3200

AF is good not suited to action but still faster than the 85 1.2IMO Bokeh on the canon 1.2 is better but the lens is 3x the price

if you want the best bokeh you can get and dont care about price or fast AF get the canon there is nothing that can touch it, the sigma gets damn close though at 1/3rd the price has faster AF and is smaller

I have found the 85L a strange focal length for me. It's not quite normal but not quite tele. It will melt the background but still leave some information.

Overall, I'd probably never own an 85L since my 135L is just so good. My 24, 50, and 135 kit are all good, separated, and unique focal lengths.

I'd recommend just to continue to use the 135L.

Interesting...that's my take on the 35mm, as in it's not wide enough, and not normal enough. I bought the 85mm after the 24, 50, and 135 because I found the 50 less than flattering for headshots and the 135 was often too long to use indoors. After buying it, I was pleasantly surprised to find that the 85L was great for all of my portrait work other than environmental shots.

To the OP, I'd recommend getting your hands on a 85mm lens (borrow or rent) to try it out for a couple of days. Most shooters (like RL & I) find certain lengths preferable to others and it's a very personal thing. If the 85mm FL melts your heart, then you can decide 85 Sigma or L, and if not, then you can wait for 50 Sigma or buy L.

I'm the same I LOVE the 135 but indoors its too tight but outdoors I love it and have been using it alot on the EOS-M actually! the 85 is my goto lens for portraits indoors